Mawal Powder

The Kashmiri word mawal is used to refer to a particular type of cockscomb, Celosia Cristata. It is also called a brain flower. Its rich red colour makes it a great natural food colourant. Rogan Josh, a Kashmiri dish has mawal as an ingredient that imparts red colour to the dish. Other Kashmiri dishes like Wazwaan would be incomplete without Mawal. Addig a little Mawal powder is all it takes to extract its color. When left for too long, the color will darken. Kashmir Mawal is similar to basil leaves or spinach in both taste and texture.